Renowned Hong Kong Filmmaker Peter Chan, whose previous works include Comrades: Almost a Love Story, American Dreams in China, and Dearest, will write and direct a film about the women’s national volleyball team of China, according to an announcement made by China’s General Administration of Sports. Chan will start shooting the film in the second half of 2018. The film is scheduled to release during China’s 2019 National Day holiday as a tribute to the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Read more on Mtime

Yesterday, director Alan Yuen wrapped the filming of drama film The Rookies, which stars Milla Jovovich(Resident Evil, The Fifth Element, Jeanne d’Arc), Wang Da-lu, and Sandrine Pinna. This film marks Milla Jovovich’s first time shooting in China. Director Alan Yuen’s previous projects include Firestorm and Monster Hunt.The Rookies is filmed at multiple locations in China and Budapest. A release date hasn’t been set for the film. Read more on Mtime

iQiyi Nabs Rights to 16 Oscar Nominated Films

The complete list of this year’s Oscar Nominations has been revealed. Among the 60 nominated films, China’s top online video site iQiyi has acquired rights to stream 16 of them, including the frontrunners, such as The Shape of Water, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and Get Out. In addition to commercial films, iQiyi also acquired a few indie and arthouse films including Florida Project and The Square. Read more on Sina

After The Great Wall was released in December 2016, director Zhang Yimou hadn’t appeared in the news much over the past 12 months or so. Yet recently, he makes the headlines again because of the bankruptcy of a show he created. In 2004, Zhang created and directed the stunning performance Impression Liu Sanjie, which soon became a highly profitable show and continuously brought income to Zhang. However, the company that operates the show recently filed bankruptcy with debts totaling 2.67 billion yuan ($420 million). It’s reported that Ding Lei, who became a main shareholder of the company in 2013, used the company as a guarantor to take loans, which caused the debts. Read more on yuledujiaoshou

China Film Insider reports on and writes about the people and companies making movies that soon may help to bridge the gaps in understanding between China, the United States, and the rest of the world. We work in Beijing, Los Angeles, and New York.